Meditate With Dan : Articles : April 2013

April 2013

Hello, Everyone!

Life can sometimes be very difficult; circumstances arise that befuddle even the wisest of us. Whether we have to take care of aging parents, nurture relationships, or wrestle with financial and work situations, stress becomes all too familiar. We wonder how we can continue to handle the seemingly impossible, often exhausting day-to-day life checklist; we may even question whether we WANT to handle the hell on the horizon!
When these thoughts intrude into what might have been an otherwise peaceful day, please know that there is most assuredly a much grander picture unfolding — one that we have only a microscopic, momentary view of, and that, when complete, will become a lovely tapestry of purpose and perfect reason. We must hold onto the faith that there is a larger purpose for each of our experiences. A very wise voice once spoke, This, too, shall pass. A strong grasp of this great truth will give you the strength and patience to wait and to reap the benefit of certainty that everything changes, if you simply hold on and wait it out. What happens to you is your life situation; what happens within you is your personal truth — your most vital lifeline. Once you find your depths, outer circumstances lose their power to distress you. This is why we meditate. Here is a story that might help you to understand and relate to some of the trials you have faced in your life (or are now facing) and how they affected you and your awareness…
A man once discovered the cocoon of a butterfly; finding it quite interesting, he picked it off the branch of its anchoring tree, and carried it to his home.
Soon a small opening appeared in the cocoon. He sat and watched the cocoon for several hours as the butterfly struggled to force its body through that little hole. It seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and could go no further. Having a compassionate heart, the man decided to help the butterfly in its struggle. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon… the butterfly emerged easily.
As the butterfly emerged, the man was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly, certain that, at any moment, the wings would dry out, enlarge and expand to support the swollen body. The butterfly would then be able to fly.
But neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings – never able to fly …
The man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle were required for the butterfly to be able to fly. The butterfly must push its way through the tiny opening to force the fluid from its body and wings. Only by struggling through the opening can the butterfly’s wings be ready for flight once it emerges from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. And we could never fly. Author Unknown
Everything changes in the outer world. Stay focused within and connect to the peace that resides there.
That is how we free ourselves. Be ready to fly.
Take the time to watch this short video, and you will enjoy this spring even more because of your awareness. Turn your sound on, full view.

Enjoy http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xHkq1edcbk4?rel=0

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

We are a product of what we have survived. ~ Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS

I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life
as by the obstacles which he has overcome in trying to succeed. ~ Booker T. Washington

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus

LITE THOUGHTS:

Inner Peace, I think I have found inner peace. My therapist told me a way to achieve inner peace was to finish things I had started. Today I finished 2 bags of potato chips, a lemon pie, a fifth of Jack Daniels and a small box of chocolate candy. I feel better already.

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

Thought of the Month

"All the effort pays off,it really does. You can’t focus on love and not become more loving. Work on compassion and you will become more compassionate. The same goes for forgiveness and trust and all the other great things that make being human a big love affair. Practice doesn’t make you perfect, but it surely brings you closer to the beautiful person you were born to be and that’s worth the effort" ~Scott Stabile

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You can also write to me or call me at: 901-685-2462

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AGENDA ; Discussion about meditation, hindrances of the practice"
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Location; Art- Body – Soul 1024 South.Yates Memphis Tn 38117

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